BOSTON (AP) — Federal environmental officials have issued final approval to Massachusetts to build a $100 million marine terminal in the port of New Bedford.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which announced the approval Monday, said it's confident the needed work can be done in a way that protects the health of residents and the environment.
The main terminal will handle high volume shipping and large specialty marine cargo. It also aims to support the construction of offshore wind projects. Gov. Deval Patrick said the facility will make Massachusetts the "East Coast hub for offshore wind development."
The Cape Wind offshore wind project is hoping to use the terminal as a staging area for construction. But a project spokesman has said it's uncertain whether it will be ready when Cape Wind needs it in 2014.